Hydraulic fracturing plan and execution of same

ABSTRACT

A hydraulic fracturing plan executable by a hydraulic fracturing system to hydraulically fracture a plurality of oil and gas wells.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/878,493, filed Aug. 1, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/388,716 (the “'716 Application”), filed Jul. 29, 2021, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,401,779, which claims the benefit of the filing date of, and priority to, U.S. Patent Application No. 63/189,663, filed May 17, 2021, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The '716 Application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/319,854 (the “'854 Application”), filed May 13, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The '854 Application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/855,749 (the “'749 Application”), filed Apr. 22, 2020, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,480,027, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The '749 Application claims the benefit of the filing date of, and priority to, U.S. Patent Application No. 62/836,761, filed Apr. 22, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The '749 Application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/248,648 (the “'648 Application”), filed Jan. 15, 2019, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,724,682, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The '648 Application claims the benefit of the filing date of, and priority to, U.S. Application No. 62/617,443, filed Jan. 15, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The '749 Application is also a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/803,156 (the “'156 Application”), filed Feb. 27, 2020, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,242,724, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The '156 Application is a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/248,633 (the “'633 Application”), filed Jan. 15, 2019, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,584,552, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The '633 Application claims the benefit of the filing date of, and priority to, U.S. Patent Application No. 62/617,438 (the “'438 Application”), filed Jan. 15, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The '156 Application is also a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/436,623 (the “'623 Application”), filed Jun. 10, 2019, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,208,856, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The '623 Application claims the benefit of the filing date of, and priority to, U.S. Patent Application No. 62/755,170, filed Nov. 2, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The '156 Application is also a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/100,741 (the “'741 Application”), filed Aug. 10, 2018, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,689,938, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The '741 Application claims the benefit of the filing date of, and priority to, U.S. Patent Application No. 62/638,688, filed Mar. 5, 2018, U.S. Patent Application No. 62/638,681, filed Mar. 5, 2018, U.S. Patent Application No. 62/637,220, filed Mar. 1, 2018, U.S. Patent Application No. 62/637,215, filed Mar. 1, 2018, and U.S. Patent Application No. 62/598,914, filed Dec. 14, 2017, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The '749 Application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/801,911, filed Feb. 26, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The '716 Application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/360,336, filed Jun. 28, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This application relates generally to oil and gas hydraulic fracturing operations and, more particularly, to a hydraulic fracturing plan executable by a hydraulic fracturing system to hydraulically fracture a plurality of oil and gas wells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a diagrammatic illustration of a hydraulic fracturing system operably to execute a hydraulic fracturing plan to hydraulically fracture a plurality of oil and gas wells, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a flow diagram illustrating a method for hydraulically fracturing a plurality of wells by executing a hydraulic fracturing plan using the hydraulic fracturing system of FIG. 1A, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2A schematically illustrates execution of one or more sub-step(s) of a first step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, which first step is or includes equalizing a lubricator of a frac leg associated with a first well, and opening the first well, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2B schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the first step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2C schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the first step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2D schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the first step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2E schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the first step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2F schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the first step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2G schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the first step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the various sub-steps, illustrated schematically in FIGS. 2A and 2G, of the first step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating various sub-steps of a second step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, which second step is or includes perforating a stage of the first well using a wireline perforating system, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5A schematically illustrates execution of one or more sub-step(s) of the second step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5B schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the second step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5C schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the second step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating various sub-steps of a third step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, which third step is or includes closing the first well using a valve apparatus, and draining a lubricator, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7A schematically illustrates execution of one or more sub-step(s) of the third step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7B schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the third step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7C schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the third step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7D schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the third step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7E schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the third step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7F schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the third step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7G schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the third step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7H schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the third step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7I schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the third step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating various sub-steps of a fourth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, which fourth step is or includes isolating a stage of a second well in preparation for a hydraulic fracturing operation, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 9A schematically illustrates execution of one or more sub-step(s) of the fourth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 9B schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the fourth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 9C schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the fourth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 9D schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the fourth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 9E schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the fourth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 9F schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the fourth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 9G schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the fourth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating various sub-steps of a fifth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, which fifth step is or includes detecting or otherwise determining that a fracturing stage of a third well has ended, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates execution of one or more subs-step(s) of the fifth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating various sub-steps of a sixth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, which sixth step is or includes determining whether to permit a regular swap or a continuous pumping swap (or “CP swap”), according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating various sub-steps of a seventh step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, which seventh step is or includes the regular swap from hydraulically fracturing the third well to hydraulically fracturing the second well, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 14A schematically illustrates execution of one or more sub-step(s) of the seventh step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 14B schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the seventh step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating various sub-steps of an eighth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, which eighth step is or includes the CP swap from hydraulically fracturing the third well to hydraulically fracturing the second well, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 16A schematically illustrates execution of one or more sub-step(s) of the eighth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 16B schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the eighth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 16C schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the eighth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 16D is a chart illustrating execution of one or more of the various sub-steps, schematically illustrated in FIGS. 16A through 16C, of the eighth step of the method illustrated in FIGS. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 16E is another chart illustrating execution of one or more of the various sub-steps, schematically illustrated in FIGS. 16A through 16C, of the eighth step of the method illustrated in FIGS. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating various sub-steps of a ninth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, which ninth step is or includes latching, filling, and pressure testing a frac leg associated with a fourth well in preparation for perforating a stage of the fourth well using the wireline perforating system, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 18A schematically illustrates execution of one or more sub-step(s) of the ninth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 18B schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the ninth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 18C schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the ninth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 18D schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the ninth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 18E schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the ninth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 18F schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the ninth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 18G schematically illustrates execution of one or more additional sub-step(s) of the ninth step of the method illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 19A is a flow diagram illustrating a portion of another method for fracturing wells using the fracturing system of FIG. 1A, which another method includes swapping from simultaneously fracturing first and second wells to simultaneously fracturing third and fourth wells, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 19B is a flow diagram illustrating another portion of the another method of FIG. 20A, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic illustration of a computing node for implementing one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1A, in an embodiment, a hydraulic fracturing system 100 for executing a hydraulic fracturing plan to hydraulically fracture wells 105A through 105C+n is illustrated, which hydraulic fracturing system 100 includes: a blender 110 adapted to mix fluid from a fluid source 115 with sand from a sand source 120 to produce hydraulic fracturing fluid; a suction manifold 125 adapted to receive the hydraulic fracturing fluid from the blender 110; a discharge manifold 130; a plurality of swap stations 135, each adapted to communicate the hydraulic fracturing fluid from the suction manifold 125 to a corresponding pump truck 140, and, after pressurization by the corresponding pump truck 140, to communicate the pressurized hydraulic fracturing fluid from the corresponding pump truck 140 to the discharge manifold 130; and a zipper manifold 145 adapted to communicate the pressurized hydraulic fracturing fluid from the discharge manifold 130 to a plurality of hydraulic fracturing legs (or “frac legs”) 150A through 150C+n, each of which is adapted to communicate the pressurized hydraulic fracturing fluid from the zipper manifold 145 to a corresponding one of the wells 105A through 105C+n. In one or more embodiments, each of the swap stations 135 is or includes one or more components shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/436,189, filed Jun. 10, 2019, now published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0386359, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

A grease system 155 is adapted to communicate lubricating grease to various components of the frac legs 150A through 150C+n, including, for example, pump-down valves 160 a-b, master valves 165 a-b, and zipper valves 170 a-b associated with each of the frac legs 150A through 150C+n (which components are shown in FIGS. 2A-G, 5A-C, 7A-I, 9A-G, 11, 14A-B, 16A-C, and 18A-G). In one or more embodiments, the grease system 155 is or includes one or more components shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/248,648, filed Jan. 15, 2019 bearing Attorney Docket No. 57959.3US01, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,724,682, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. In addition, or instead, in one or more embodiments, the grease system 155 is or includes one or more components shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/938,341, filed Jul. 24, 2020 bearing Attorney 2020/0355322, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, or instead, in one or more embodiments, the grease system 155 is or includes one or more components shown and described in the '749 Application, filed Apr. 22, 2020 bearing Attorney Docket No. 57959.5US01, now published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0248529, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, or instead, in one or more embodiments, the grease system 155 is or includes one or more components shown and described in the '854 Application, filed May 13, 2021 bearing Attorney Docket No. 57959.11US01, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

A controller 156 is adapted to control the grease system 155, the frac legs 150A through 150C+n, or both. In one or more embodiments, the controller 156 is or includes a non-transitory computer readable medium and one or more processors adapted to execute instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium. In one or more embodiments, the controller 156 is located on-site at the well site. Alternatively, the controller 156 may be located remotely from the well site. In one or more embodiments, the controller 156 includes a plurality of controllers. In one or more embodiments, the controller 156 includes a plurality of controllers, with one or more controllers located on-site at the well site and/or one or more other controllers located remotely from the well site.

Referring to FIG. 1B, in an embodiment, a method 175 for hydraulically fracturing the wells 105A through 105C+n by executing a hydraulic fracturing plan using the hydraulic fracturing system 100 of FIG. 1A is illustrated. The method 175 generally includes: at step(s) 176 a, perforating a stage of each well using, for example, a wireline perforating system 177; at step(s) 176 b, isolating the perforated stage of each well using an object dropped, for example, from a launcher 178 of the wireline perforating system 177; and, at step(s) 176 c, hydraulically fracturing the isolated/perforated stage of each well. More particularly, as will be described in further detail below, the method 175 includes: at a step 225, equalizing a lubricator 220 of the frac leg 150A associated with the well 105A, and opening the well 105A; at a step 230, perforating a stage of the well 105A using the wireline perforating system 177; at a step 235, closing the well 105A using the valve apparatus 210 and draining the lubricator 220; at a step 238 a, queuing the well 105A (as indicated at queue position n₂) in a frac queue 239 in preparation for a hydraulic fracturing operation; at a step 238 b, dequeuing the well 105B (as indicated at queue position n₁+1) from the frac queue 239 in preparation for the hydraulic fracturing operation; at a step 240, isolating a stage of the well 105B in preparation for the hydraulic fracturing operation; at a step 245, detecting or otherwise determining that a fracturing stage of the well 105D has ended; at a step 250, determining whether to permit a regular swap or a CP swap from hydraulically fracturing (at a step 262) the well 105D to hydraulically fracturing (at the step 262) the well 105B; at a step 255, executing the regular swap from hydraulically fracturing (at the step 262) the well 105D to hydraulically fracturing (at the step 262) the well 105B, or, at a step 260, executing the CP swap from hydraulically fracturing (at the step 262) the well 105D to hydraulically fracturing (at the step 262) the well 105B; at the step 262, hydraulically fracturing the well 105B; optionally, at a step 263 a, queuing the well 105D (as indicated at queue position n₁) in a wireline queue 264 in preparation for perforating a next stage of the well 105D; optionally, at a step 238 b, dequeuing the well 105E (as indicated at queue position 1) from the wireline queue 264 in preparation for perforating a next stage of the well 105E; and, at a step 265, latching, filling, and pressure testing the frac leg 150E associated with the well 105E.

In one or more embodiments, the controller 156 is adapted to control the grease system 155, the frac legs 150A through 150C+n, or both, in order to execute the method 175 described herein. In one or more embodiments, the frac queue 239 and the wireline queue 264 are stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium that includes or is part of, for example, the controller 156. In one or more embodiments, the frac queue 239 is or includes a list of data items, commands, etc., stored on the computer readable medium so as to be retrievable by one or more processors in a definite order (but not necessarily in the order stored), and the frac queue 239 is associated with the wells 105A through 105C+n, as shown in FIG. 1B. In addition, or instead, the frac queue 239 can be at least partially populated by an external source, such as, for example, the frac operator. Likewise, in one or more embodiments, the wireline queue 264 is or includes a list of data items, commands, etc., stored on the computer readable medium so as to be retrievable by one or more processors in a definite order (but not necessarily in the order stored), and the wireline queue 264 is associated with the wells 105A through 105C+n, as shown in FIG. 1B. In addition, or instead, the wireline queue 264 can be at least partially populated by an external source, such as, for example, the wireline operator.

Referring to FIGS. 2A through 2G, in an embodiment, the frac leg 150A associated with the well 105A is illustrated, which frac leg 150A includes: a wellhead including the master valves 165 a-b (such as, for example, gate valves) operably coupled to, and adapted to be in fluid communication with, the well 105A, each of the master valves 165 a-b including associated grease ports (or “GPs”) 185 a-b; the pump-down valves 160 a-b (such as, for example, gate valves) operably coupled to, and adapted communicate fluid between, a pump-down truck 190 and the well 105A, via the master valves 165 a-b, each of the pump-down valves 160 a-b including an associated GP 195; and the zipper valves 170 a-b (such as, for example, gate valves) operably coupled to, and adapted communicate fluid between, the zipper manifold 145 and the well 105A, via the master valves 165 a-b, each of the zipper valves 170 a-b including associated GPs 200 a-b. In one or more embodiments, one or both of the zipper valves 170 a-b of each of the frac legs 150A through 150C+n include(s), or is/are part of, the zipper manifold 145. In one or more embodiments, as in FIGS. 2A through 2G, the frac leg 150A associated with the well 105A also includes a flow block 205 to which the pump-down valves 160 a-b and the zipper valves 170 a-b are operably coupled.

The frac leg 150A associated with the well 105A further includes a valve apparatus 210 via which both the wireline perforating system 177 and the object launched from, for example, the launcher 178, are permitted entry to the well 105A. The valve apparatus 210 includes: a containment area 215 a (labeled “WELL”) adapted to be in fluid communication with the well 105A via the master valves 165 a-b; a containment area 215 b (labeled “LUB”) adapted to be in fluid communication with the lubricator 220 of the wireline perforating system 177; and a containment area 215 c (labeled “LL”) adapted to be in fluid communication with the containment area 215 a via a flow control device 221 a (e.g., a flapper-type flow control device), and adapted to be in fluid communication with the containment area 215 b via a flow control device 221 b (e.g., a flapper-type flow control device).

An equalization (“EQ”) valve 222 a is connected between the containment areas 215 a and 215 c, which EQ valve 222 a is openable to permit pressure equalization between the containment areas 215 a and 215 c when the flow control device 221 a is closed. Likewise, an equalization valve 222 b is connected between the containment areas 215 b and 215 c, which EQ valve 222 b is openable to permit pressure equalization between the containment areas 215 b and 215 c when the flow control device 221 b is closed. Additionally, an EQ valve 222 c is connected between the lubricator 220 and atmosphere (labeled “ATM”), which EQ valve 222 c permits pressure equalization between the lubricator 220 and atmosphere. A drain 223 is connected between a latch 234 (via which the lubricator 220 is detachably couplable to the valve apparatus 210) and a pump station 224 a, via which drain 223 fluid is communicable to and/or from the lubricator 220, using, for example, an auto-fill/auto-drain pump of the pump station 224 a, when the lubricator 220 is connected to the valve apparatus 210 via the latch 234. Finally, when the lubricator 220 is connected to the valve apparatus 210 via the latch 234, fluid can also be communicated to the lubricator 220 (via, for example, the containment area 215 c and the EQ valve 222 b) using one or more boost pump(s) 224 b in order to increase a fluid pressure in the lubricator 220, aiding in pressure equalization between the lubricator 220 and the associated wellhead. For example, the boost pump(s) 224 b may include: a first boost pump capable of pumping at relatively higher volumes and relatively lower pressures; and a second boost pump capable of pumping at relatively lower volumes and relatively higher pressures. The first and second boost pumps are used in combination to achieve combined pumping at relatively higher volumes and relatively higher pressures. In addition, or instead, a third boost pump capable of pumping at relatively higher volumes and relatively higher pressures may be used. Moreover, although shown as being connected to, and in fluid communication with, the containment area 215 c, one or more of the boost pump(s) 224 b may instead be, include, or be part of the pump station 224 a.

In one or more embodiments, the valve apparatus 210 is or includes one or more components shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/487,785, filed Apr. 14, 2017, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,662,740, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. In addition, or instead, in one or more embodiments, the valve apparatus 210 is or includes one or more components shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/721,203, filed Dec. 19, 2019, now published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0123876, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

In one or more embodiments, the launcher 178 is or includes one or more components shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/248,633, filed Jan. 15, 2019 bearing Attorney Docket No. 57959.4US01, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,584,552, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. In addition, or instead, in one or more embodiments, the launcher 178 is or includes one or more components shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/801,911, filed Feb. 26, 2020 bearing Attorney Docket No. 57959.4US02, now published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0190933, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. In addition, or instead, in one or more embodiments, the launcher 178 is or includes one or more components shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/803,156, filed Feb. 27, 2020 bearing Attorney Docket No. 57959.8US01, now published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0190934, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

In one or more embodiments, the frac legs 150B through 150C+n associated with each of the wells 105B through 105C+n, respectively, are substantially identical to the frac leg 150A associated with the well 105A; therefore, the frac legs 150B through 150C+n associated with each of the wells 1056 through 105C+n will not be described in further detail. Accordingly, each of the frac legs 150B through 150C+n associated with the wells 105B through 105C+n includes features/components substantially identical to corresponding features/components of the frac leg 150A associated with the well 105A, which substantially identical features/components are given the same reference numerals and will also not be described in further detail.

Referring to FIG. 3 , with continuing reference to FIGS. 2A through 2G, in an embodiment, various sub-steps 226 a-h of the step 225 of the method 175 illustrated in FIG. 1B are shown in detail, which step 225 is or includes equalizing the lubricator 220 of the frac leg 150A associated with the well 105A, and opening the well 105A. In one or more embodiments, the lubricator 220 is or includes one or more components shown and described in the '749 Application. In addition, or instead, in one or more embodiments, the lubricator 220 is or includes one or more components shown and described in the '854 Application.

At the sub-step 226 a, the boost pump(s) 224 b is/are turned on to increase a fluid pressure in the lubricator 220 of the frac leg 150A, thereby aiding in pressure equalization between said lubricator 220 and the well 105A, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 3 (indicated by arrow 232 a in FIG. 2A). As shown in FIG. 1B, the step 265 of latching, filling, and pressure testing the frac leg 150A associated with the well 105A is executed on the frac leg 150A just prior to the execution of the sub-step 226 a on the frac leg 150A. The step 265 will be described in further detail below as executed on the frac leg 150E; however, the description below also applies to the execution of the step 265 on the frac leg 150A. As a result, in one or more embodiments, just prior to execution of the sub-step 226 a on the frac leg 150A: the EQ valve 222 c is closed; the drain 223 is closed; the lubricator 220 extends within, and is latched to, the latch 234; the flow control device 221 b is closed; the EQ valve 222 b is open; the flow control device 221 a is closed; the EQ valve 222 a is closed; the pump-down valves 160 a-b closed, and grease from the grease system 155 is withheld from the corresponding GPs 195; the zipper valves 170 a-b are closed, and grease from the grease system 155 is withheld from the corresponding GPs 200 a-b; and the master valves 165 a-b are open, and grease from the grease system 155 is communicated to the corresponding GPs 185 a-b. The communication of grease from the grease system 155 to the corresponding GPs 185 a-b is not indicated by arrows in FIG. 2A but is instead indicated by a lack of shading of the GPs 185 a-b as shown in FIG. 2A; the same lack of shading indication applies to the GPs 185 a-b as shown in FIGS. 2B-G, 5A-C, 7A-I, 9A-G, 11, 14A-B, 16A-C, and 18A-G.

At the sub-step 226 b, respective fluid pressures within the containment areas 215 a and 215 c are compared to determine whether the fluid pressure in the lubricator 220 of the frac leg 150A has been equalized to within a threshold amount of the fluid pressure in the well 105A. If it is determined that the fluid pressure in the lubricator 220 of the frac leg 150A has not been equalized to within the threshold amount of the fluid pressure in the well 105A, the EQ valve 222 a is opened at the sub-step 226 c to further encourage such pressure equalization between said lubricator 220 and the well 105A, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 3 . Alternatively, the order in which the sub-steps 226 a and 226 c are executed may be reversed, or one of the sub-steps 226 a and 226 c may be omitted altogether.

At the sub-step 226 d, once it is determined that the fluid pressure in the lubricator 220 of the frac leg 150A has been equalized to within the threshold amount of the fluid pressure in the well 105A, the flow control device 221 a is opened, as shown in FIGS. 2C and 3 . At the sub-step 226 e, the EQ valve 222 a is closed, as shown in FIGS. 2D and 3 . However, in those embodiments in which the sub-step 226 c of opening the EQ valve 222 a is omitted, the sub-step 226 e of closing the EQ valve 222 a is also omitted. Additionally, the sub-step 226 e may be executed to close the EQ valve 222 a at any time before, during, or after, execution of the sub-steps 226 d, 226 f, or 226 g. At the sub-step 226 f, the flow control device 221 b is opened, as shown in FIGS. 2E and 3 . At the sub-step 226 g, the boost pump(s) 224 b is/are turned off, as shown in FIGS. 2F and 3 . At the sub-step 226 h, the EQ valve 222 b is closed, as shown in FIGS. 2G and 3 . Once the sub-steps 226 a-h are executed, the well 105A is ready for execution of the step 230, namely perforating a stage of the well 105A using the wireline perforating system 177, as will be described in detail below in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5A through 5C.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5A through 5C, in an embodiment, various sub-steps 231 a-h of the step 230 of the method 175 illustrated in FIG. 1B are shown in detail, which step 230 is or includes perforating a stage of the well 105A using the wireline perforating system 177. In one or more embodiments, the wireline perforating system 177 is or includes the pump-down truck 190, a wireline truck 233, the lubricator 220, the launcher 178, the latch 234 (via which the lubricator 220 is detachably couplable to the valve apparatus 210), or any combination thereof. In addition, or instead, the wireline perforating system 177 may be or include one or more components shown and described in the '749 Application. In addition, or instead, in one or more embodiments, the wireline perforating system 177 may be or include one or more components shown and described in the '854 Application.

At the sub-step 231 a, a plug and perforating gun(s) are deployed from the lubricator 220, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A (indicated by arrow 232 b in FIG. 5A). At the sub-step 231 b, the pump-down valves 160 a-b are opened, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5B. At the sub-step 231 c, grease from the grease system 155 is communicated to the corresponding GPs 195 of the pump-down valves 160 a-b, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5B (indicated by arrows 232 c in FIG. 5B). At the sub-step 231 d, the plug and perforating gun(s) are pumped down into the well 105A using the pump-down truck 190, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5B (indicated by arrows 232 d and 232 e in FIG. 5B). At the sub-step 231 e, the pump-down valves 160 a-b are closed, and grease from the grease system 155 is withheld from the corresponding GPs 195, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5C. Additionally, the sub-step 231 e may be executed to close the pump-down valves 160 a-b at any time before, during, or after, execution of the sub-steps 231 f, 231 g, or 231 h. At the sub-step 231 f, the plug is set in the well 105A, as shown in FIG. 4 . At the sub-step 231 g, the perforating gun(s) are detonated in the well 105A, as shown in FIG. 4 . Finally, at the sub-step 231 h, the spent perforating gun(s) are retrieved from the well 105A, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5C (indicated by arrows 232 f and 232 g in FIG. 5C). Once the sub-steps 231 a-h are executed, the well 105A is ready for execution of the step 235, namely closing the well 105A using the valve apparatus 210 and draining the lubricator 220, as will be described in detail below in connection with FIGS. 6 and 7A through 7I.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7A through 7I, in an embodiment, various sub-steps 236 a-n of the step 235 of the method 175 illustrated in FIG. 1B are shown in detail, which step 235 is or includes closing the well 105A using the valve apparatus 210 and draining the lubricator 220. At the sub-step 236 a, bump up of the retrieved spent perforating gun(s) within the lubricator 220 is determined and/or confirmed. The sub-step 236 a can be achieved in several ways, including, but not limited to: prompting the wireline operation for bump up; checking with the wireline operator to determine whether bump up has occurred; detecting bump up using a switch (e.g., a proximity switch) and/or another sensor (e.g., an accelerometer, a wireline speed sensor, a wireline tension sensor, a wireline length sensor, a wireline direction sensor, the like, or any combination thereof) associated with the lubricator 220; receiving verbal confirmation that bump up has occurred; or any combination thereof.

At the sub-step 236 b, once the bump up of the retrieved spent perforating gun(s) within the lubricator 220 is determined and/or confirmed, the flow control device 221 b is closed, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A. At the sub-step 236 c, the flow control device 221 a is closed, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7B. At the sub-step 236 d, the EQ valve 222 c is opened, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7C, to bleed down a fluid pressure in the lubricator 220 (indicated by arrow 232 g in FIG. 7C). At the sub-step 236 e, the EQ valve 222 b is opened, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7D. At the sub-step 236 f, the lubricator 220 is checked to determine whether the fluid pressure in the lubricator 220 has dropped (or “bled down”) to below a threshold value (e.g., a bleed PSI limit), as shown in FIG. 6 . At the sub-step 236 g, once it has been determined that the fluid pressure in the lubricator 220 has dropped to below the threshold value, the EQ valve 222 b is closed, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7E.

At the sub-step 236 h, the drain 223 is opened, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7F. At the sub-step 236 i, the auto-drain pump of the pump station 224 a is turned on to drain fluid from the lubricator 220 via the drain 223, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7F (indicated by arrow 232 h in FIG. 7F). At the sub-step 236 j, the auto-drain pump is allowed to finish auto-draining the lubricator 220 before the drain 223 is closed, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7G. At the sub-step 236 k, the latch 234 is unlatched, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7G. At the sub-step 236 l, the lubricator 220 is removed, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7H (indicated by arrow 232 i in FIG. 7H). At the sub-step 236 m, the EQ valve 222 c is closed, as shown in FIG. 7I. Finally, at the sub-step 236 n, an object drop (e.g., from the launcher 178) and/or a pressure test is/are enabled, as shown in FIG. 6 . More particularly, once the sub-steps 236 a-n are executed, the well 105A is ready for execution of the step 240, namely isolating a stage of the well 105A in preparation for a hydraulic fracturing operation. The step 240 will be described in further detail below (in connection with FIGS. 8 and 9A through 9G) as executed on the frac leg 150B to isolate a stage of the well 105B; however, the description below also applies to the execution of the step 240 on the frac leg 150A to isolate a stage of the well 105A.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9A through 9G, in an embodiment, various sub-steps 241 a-o of the step 240 of the method 175 illustrated in FIG. 1B are shown in detail, which step 240 is or includes isolating a stage of the well 105B in preparation for a hydraulic fracturing operation. In one or more embodiments, the step 240 that is or includes isolating the stage of the well 105B includes or is part of a hydraulic fracturing operation. At the sub-step 241 a, the EQ valve 222 b is opened to facilitate pressure equalization between the containment areas 215 b and 215 c, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A. At the sub-step 241 b, an object is dropped from the launcher 178, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A. At the sub-step 241 c, respective fluid pressures within the containment areas 215 b and 215 c are checked to determine whether the containment areas 215 b and 215 c have been pressure equalized to within a threshold amount, as shown in FIG. 8 . At the sub-step 241 d, once it is determined that the containment areas 215 b and 215 c have been pressure equalized to within the threshold amount, the flow control device 221 b is opened, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9B. At the sub-step 241 e, the object passes into the containment area 215 c, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9C. At the sub-step 241 f, the flow control device 221 b is closed, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9C. At the sub-step 241 g, the EQ valve 222 b is closed, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9D.

At the sub-step 241 h, the boost pump(s) 224 b is/are turned on to increase a fluid pressure in the containment area 215 c, thereby aiding in pressure equalization between the containment areas 215 a and 215 c, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9D (indicated by arrow 232 j in FIG. 9D). At the sub-step 241 i, respective fluid pressures within the containment areas 215 a and 215 c are compared to determine whether the fluid pressure in the containment area 215 c has been equalized to within a threshold amount of the fluid pressure in the well 105B. If it is determined that the fluid pressure in the containment area 215 c has not been equalized to within the threshold amount of the fluid pressure in the well 105B, the EQ valve 222 a is opened at the sub-step 241 j to further encourage such pressure equalization between said containment area 215 c and the well 105B, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9E. Alternatively, the order in which the sub-steps 241 h and 241 j are executed may be reversed, or one of the sub-steps 241 h and 241 j may be omitted altogether.

At the sub-step 241 k, once it is determined that the fluid pressure in the containment area 215 c has been equalized to within the threshold amount of the fluid pressure in the well 105B, the flow control device 221 a is opened, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9F. At the sub-step 241 l, the boost pump(s) 224 b is/are turned off, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9F. At the sub-step 241 m, the EQ valve 222 a is closed, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9F. However, in those embodiments in which the sub-step 241 j of opening the EQ valve 222 a is omitted, the sub-step 241 m of closing the EQ valve 222 a is also omitted. Additionally, the sub-step 241 m may be executed to close the EQ valve 222 a at any time before, during, or after, execution of the sub-steps 241 k or 241 l. At the sub-step 241 n, the object is permitted passage to the well 105B, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9G. Finally, at the sub-step 241 o, the flow control device 221 a is closed, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9G. Once the sub-steps 241 a-o are executed, the well 105B is ready for execution of the step 245, namely detecting or otherwise determining that a fracturing stage of the well 105D has ended, as will be described in detail below in connection with FIGS. 10 and 11 .

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 , in an embodiment, various sub-steps 246 a-c of the step 245 of the method 175 illustrated in FIG. 1B are shown in detail, which step 245 is or includes detecting or otherwise determining that a fracturing stage of the well 105D has ended. At the sub-step 246 a, the n₁ well (e.g., well 105D) is monitored for an external signal indicating the fracturing stage has ended, as shown in FIG. 10 . At the sub-step 246 b, the n₁ well's frac data is monitored to determine whether the fracturing stage has ended, as shown in FIG. 10 . Finally, at the sub-step 246 c, the zipper valves 170 a-b associated with the n₁+1 well (e.g., well 105B) are dequeued and compared against the frac order (if available). During execution of the sub-steps 246 a-c: grease from the grease system 155 is communicated to the corresponding GPs 200 a-b of the zipper valves 170 a-b, respectively, as shown in FIG. 11 (indicated by arrows 232 k in FIG. 5B); and hydraulic fracturing fluid is communicated from the zipper manifold 145 to the well 105D, as shown in FIG. 11 (indicated by arrows 232 l and 232 m in FIG. 11 ).

Referring to FIG. 12 , in an embodiment, various sub-steps 251 a-c of the step 250 of the method 175 illustrated in FIG. 1B are shown in detail, which step 250 is or includes determining whether to permit a regular swap or a CP swap from hydraulically fracturing (at a step 262) the well 105D to hydraulically fracturing (at the step 262) the well 105B, by, for example: checking an idle rate of the hydraulic fracturing system 100 at the sub-step 251 a; and detecting or otherwise determining that an idle rate of the hydraulic fracturing system 100 is below an upper threshold and above a lower threshold at the sub-step 251 b, or, at the sub-step 251 c, detecting or otherwise determining that the idle rate of the hydraulic fracturing system 100 is below the lower threshold. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 12 : at the sub-step 251 a, a frac rate of the n₁ well (e.g., well 105D) is checked; and, at the sub-step 251 b, if the frac rate of the n₁ well is below the upper threshold rate (e.g., 10 bbl) and above the lower threshold rate (e.g., 0 bbl) for a threshold amount of time (e.g., 10 s), a CP swap from hydraulically fracturing the n₁ well to hydraulically fracturing the n₁+1 well is permitted at step 260, but, at the sub-step 251 c, if the frac rate of the n₁ well is below the lower threshold rate for a threshold amount of time, only a regular swap from hydraulically fracturing the n₁ well to hydraulically fracturing the n₁+1 well is permitted at step 255.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14A through 14B, in an embodiment, various sub-steps 256 a-c of the step 255 of the method 175 illustrated in FIG. 1B are shown in detail, which step 255 is or includes executing the regular swap from hydraulically fracturing (at the step 262) the n₁ well (e.g., well 105D) to hydraulically fracturing (at the step 262) the n₁+1 well (e.g., well 105B). At the sub-step 256 a, the n₁ well's (e.g., well 105D) zipper valves 170 a-b are closed, and grease from the grease system 155 is withheld from the corresponding GPs 200 a-b, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14A. At the sub-step 256 b, a signal to advance is received, as shown in FIG. 13 . For example, a user input such as a screen click may be received at the sub-step 256 b. In addition, or instead, an external signal, such as an external signal from the frac operator, may be received at the sub-step 256 b. In addition, or instead, a signal to advance may be generated by detecting or otherwise determining that pressure equalization has been achieved to within a threshold amount between the hydraulic fracturing pressure in the zipper manifold 145 and the fluid pressure in the n₁+1 well (e.g., well 105B) for a threshold amount of time. At the sub-step 256 c, the n₁+1 well's zipper valves 170 a-b are opened, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14B, so that hydraulic fracturing fluid is communicated from the zipper manifold 145 to the n₁+1 well (indicated by arrows 232 n and 232 o in FIGS. 14B), and grease from the grease system 155 is communicated to the corresponding GPs 200 a-b (indicated by arrow 232 p in FIG. 14B).

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16A through 16E, in an embodiment, various sub-steps 261 a-c of the step 260 of the method 175 illustrated in FIG. 1B are shown in detail, which step 260 is or includes executing the CP swap from hydraulically fracturing (at the step 262) the n₁ well (e.g., well 105D) to hydraulically fracturing (at the step 262) the n₁+1 well (e.g., well 105B). At the sub-step 261 a, the n₁+1 well's (e.g., well 105B) zipper valves 170 a-b are opened, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16A, hydraulic fracturing fluid is communicated from the zipper manifold 145 to the n₁+1 well (indicated by arrows 232 n and 232 o in FIG. 16A), and grease from the grease system 155 is communicated to the corresponding GPs 200 a-b (indicated by arrow 232 p in FIG. 16A). At the sub-step 261 b, both the n₁+1 well's (e.g., well 105B) zipper valves 170 a-b and the n₁ well's (e.g., well D) zipper valves 170 a-b are allowed to fully open, as shown in FIGS. 15, 16A and 16B, so that: hydraulic fracturing fluid is communicated from the zipper manifold 145 to the n₁ well (indicated by arrows 232 l and 232 m in FIG. 16B) and the n₁+1 well (indicated by arrows 232 n and 232 o in FIG. 14A); and grease from the grease system 155 is communicated to the corresponding GPs 200 a-b (indicated by arrows 232 p and 232 k in FIGS. 16A and 16B, respectively). Finally, at the sub-step 261 c, the n₁ well's (e.g., well 105D) zipper valves 170 a-b are closed, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16C, and grease from the grease system 155 is withheld from the corresponding GPs 200 a-b.

As shown in FIGS. 16D and 16E, executing the CP swap from hydraulically fracturing (at the step 262) the n₁ well (e.g., well 105D) to hydraulically fracturing (at the step 262) the n₁+1 well (e.g., well 105B) transitions the zipper valves from one well to the other, opening the second well and subsequently shutting-in the first well, all while pumping. The transition is instantaneous and the total time between stages measured at treatment pressure is less than 20 seconds (as fast as 19 seconds in some instances).

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18A through 18G, in an embodiment, various sub-steps 266 a-s of the step 265 of the method 175 illustrated in FIG. 1B are shown in detail, which step 265 is or includes latching, filling, and pressure testing the frac leg 150E associated with the well 105E in preparation for perforating a stage of the well 105E using the wireline perforating system 177 (in a manner similar to that described above in connection with the well 105A and shown in FIGS. 5A through 5C). At the sub-step 266 a, the lubricator 220 is stabbed into the latch 234, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18A (indicated by arrow 232 q in FIG. 18A). At the sub-step 266 b, the EQ valve 222 c is closed, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18B. At the sub-step 266 c, the latch close relay is energized to close the latch 234, thereby connecting the lubricator 220 to the valve apparatus 210, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18C. At the sub-step 266 d, a latch close proximity switch is checked to determine whether the latch 234 has successfully latched the lubricator 220 to the valve apparatus 210. At the sub-step 266 e, once it is determined that the latch 234 has successfully latched the lubricator 220 to the valve apparatus 210, the latch close relay is de-energized, as shown in FIG. 17 . At the sub-step 266 f, a test pressure relay is energized, as shown in FIG. 17 . At the sub-step 266 g, a determination is made as to whether the connection of the lubricator 220 to the valve apparatus 210 via the latch 234 is or is not capable of holding pressure, as shown in FIG. 17 . At the sub-step 266 h, once the determination is made that the connection of the lubricator 220 to the valve apparatus 210 via the latch 234 is capable of holding pressure, the test pressure relay is de-energized, as shown in FIG. 17 .

At the sub-step 266 i, the drain 223 is opened, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18D. At the sub-step 266 j, the EQ valve 222 c is opened, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18E. At the sub-step 266 k, the auto-fill pump of the pump station 224 a is turned on to fill the lubricator 220 via the open drain 223, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18E (indicated by arrow 232 r in FIG. 18E). At the sub-step 266 l, the auto-fill pump is allowed to finish auto-filling the lubricator 220, as shown in FIG. 17 . At the sub-step 266 m, the drain 223 is closed, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18F. At the sub-step 266 n, the EQ valve 222 c is closed, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18F. At the sub-step 266 o, the EQ valve 222 b is opened, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18F. At the sub-step 266 p, the boost pump(s) 224 b is/are turned on to increase the fluid pressure within the lubricator 220, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18F (indicated by arrow 232 s in FIG. 18F). At the sub-step 266 q, a determination is made as to whether the pressure in the lubricator 220 comes to within the pressure in the well 105E by a threshold amount (e.g., 500 PSI), as shown in FIG. 17 . Once the determination is made that the pressure in the lubricator 220 comes to within the pressure in the well 105E by the threshold amount, the boost pump(s) 224 b is/are turned off at the sub-step 266 r, and the EQ valve 222 b is closed at the sub-step 266 s in preparation for the next wireline swap (e.g., to the well 105E), as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18G.

Referring to FIGS. 19A and 19B, in an embodiment, a method 270 for fracturing the wells 105A through 105C+n using the hydraulic fracturing system 100 of FIG. 1A is illustrated, which method 270 includes swapping from simultaneously fracturing the wells n₁ and n₃ (e.g., wells 105D and 105X) to simultaneously fracturing the wells n₁+1 and n₃+1 (e.g., wells 105B and 105V). More particularly, the method 270 includes steps substantially identical to corresponding steps of the method 175 described above, which steps are given the same reference numerals. In addition, the method 270 includes additional steps executable to simultaneously fracture the n₁ and n₃ wells (e.g., wells 105D and 105X), and to swap from simultaneously fracturing the n₁ and n₃ wells to simultaneously fracturing the n₁+1 and n₃+1 wells (e.g., wells 105B and 105V), which additional steps are given the same reference numerals, except that the suffix “′” is added. Specifically, in some instances the suffix “′” signifies that the referenced step of the method 270 is substantially identical to the corresponding step of the method 175, except that the referenced step is instead performed on a different one of the wells than that on which the corresponding step of the method 175 is performed (i.e., the steps 225′, 230′, 235′, 238 a′, 239′, 238 b′, 263 a′, 264′, 263 b′, 265′, and 268′ fall into this category), while, in other instances, the suffix “′” signifies that the referenced step of the method 270 is substantially similar to the corresponding step of the method 175, except that the referenced step is simultaneously performed on another one of the wells other than that on which the corresponding step of the method 175 is performed (i.e., the steps 240′, 245′, 250′, 255′, 260′, and 262′ fall into this category). In one or more embodiments, the controller 156 is adapted to control the grease system 155, the frac legs 150A through 150C+n, or both, in order to execute the method 270 described herein.

Referring to FIG. 20 , with continuing reference to FIGS. 1A through 19B, an illustrative node 1000 for implementing one or more of the embodiments of one or more of the controller(s) (e.g., the controller 156), element(s), apparatus, system(s) (e.g., the hydraulic fracturing system 100), method(s) (e.g., the method 175, the method 270, or both), step(s), and/or sub-step(s), or any combination thereof, described above and/or illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 19B is depicted. The node 1000 includes a microprocessor 1000 a, an input device 1000 b, a storage device 1000 c, a video controller 1000 d, a system memory 1000 e, a display 1000 f, and a communication device 1000 g all interconnected by one or more buses 1000 h. In one or more embodiments, the storage device 1000 c may include a hard drive, CD-ROM, optical drive, any other form of storage device and/or any combination thereof. In one or more embodiments, the storage device 1000 c may include, and/or be capable of receiving, a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or any other form of non-transitory computer-readable medium that may contain executable instructions. In one or more embodiments, the communication device 1000 g may include a modem, network card, or any other device to enable the node 1000 to communicate with other node(s). In one or more embodiments, the node and the other node(s) represent a plurality of interconnected (whether by intranet or Internet) computer systems, including without limitation, personal computers, mainframes, PDAs, smartphones and cell phones.

In one or more embodiments, one or more of the embodiments described above and/or illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 19B include at least the node 1000 and/or components thereof, and/or one or more nodes that are substantially similar to the node 1000 and/or components thereof. In one or more embodiments, one or more of the above-described components of the node 1000 and/or the embodiments described above and/or illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 19B include respective pluralities of same components.

In one or more embodiments, one or more of the embodiments described above and/or illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 19B include a computer program that includes a plurality of instructions, data, and/or any combination thereof; an application written in, for example, Arena, HyperText Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), JavaScript, Extensible Markup Language (XML), asynchronous JavaScript and XML (Ajax), and/or any combination thereof; a web-based application written in, for example, Java or Adobe Flex, which in one or more embodiments pulls real-time information from one or more servers, automatically refreshing with latest information at a predetermined time increment; or any combination thereof.

In one or more embodiments, a computer system typically includes at least hardware capable of executing machine readable instructions, as well as the software for executing acts (typically machine-readable instructions) that produce a desired result. In one or more embodiments, a computer system may include hybrids of hardware and software, as well as computer sub-systems.

In one or more embodiments, hardware generally includes at least processor-capable platforms, such as client-machines (also known as personal computers or servers), and hand-held processing devices (such as smart phones, tablet computers, or personal computing devices (PCDs), for example). In one or more embodiments, hardware may include any physical device that is capable of storing machine-readable instructions, such as memory or other data storage devices. In one or more embodiments, other forms of hardware include hardware sub-systems, including transfer devices such as modems, modem cards, ports, and port cards, for example.

In one or more embodiments, software includes any machine code stored in any memory medium, such as RAM or ROM, and machine code stored on other devices (such as floppy disks, flash memory, or a CD-ROM, for example). In one or more embodiments, software may include source or object code. In one or more embodiments, software encompasses any set of instructions capable of being executed on a node such as, for example, on a client machine or server.

In one or more embodiments, combinations of software and hardware could also be used for providing enhanced functionality and performance for certain embodiments of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, software functions may be directly manufactured into a silicon chip. Accordingly, it should be understood that combinations of hardware and software are also included within the definition of a computer system and are thus envisioned by the present disclosure as possible equivalent structures and equivalent methods.

In one or more embodiments, computer readable mediums include, for example, passive data storage, such as a random-access memory (RAM) as well as semi-permanent data storage such as a compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM). One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in the RAM of a computer to transform a standard computer into a new specific computing machine. In one or more embodiments, data structures are defined organizations of data that may enable an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, a data structure may provide an organization of data, or an organization of executable code.

In one or more embodiments, any networks and/or one or more portions thereof may be designed to work on any specific architecture. In an embodiment, one or more portions of any networks may be executed on a single computer, local area networks, client-server networks, wide area networks, internets, hand-held and other portable and wireless devices and networks.

In one or more embodiments, a database may be any standard or proprietary database software. In one or more embodiments, the database may have fields, records, data, and other database elements that may be associated through database specific software. In one or more embodiments, data may be mapped. In one or more embodiments, mapping is the process of associating one data entry with another data entry. In an embodiment, the data contained in the location of a character file can be mapped to a field in a second table. In one or more embodiments, the physical location of the database is not limiting, and the database may be distributed. In an embodiment, the database may exist remotely from the server, and run on a separate platform. In an embodiment, the database may be accessible across the Internet. In one or more embodiments, more than one database may be implemented.

In one or more embodiments, a plurality of instructions stored on a computer readable medium may be executed by one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to carry out or implement in whole or in part one or more of the embodiments of one or more of the controller(s) (e.g., the controller 156), element(s), apparatus, system(s) (e.g., the hydraulic fracturing system 100), method(s) (e.g., the method 175, the method 270, or both), step(s), and/or sub-step(s), or any combination thereof, described above and/or illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 19B. In one or more embodiments, such a processor may include one or more of the microprocessor 1000 a, any processor(s) that are part of the components of the hydraulic fracturing system 100, such as, for example, the controller 156, and/or any combination thereof, and such a computer readable medium may be distributed among one or more components of the system. In one or more embodiments, such a processor may execute the plurality of instructions in connection with a virtual computer system. In one or more embodiments, such a plurality of instructions may communicate directly with the one or more processors, and/or ay interact with one or more operating systems, middleware, firmware, other applications, and/or any combination thereof, to cause the one or more processors to execute the instructions.

A first method has been disclosed. The first method generally includes: (a) permitting performance of a first hydraulic fracturing operation on a first well, which first hydraulic fracturing operation includes pumping fluid into the first well via a first valve associated with the first well, and measuring a flow rate of the fluid being pumped into the first well; (b) determining that the flow rate of the fluid being pumped into the first well is below a flow rate threshold and has been below the flow rate threshold for a threshold amount of time; (c) during pumping of the fluid into the first well via the first valve, opening a second valve associated with a second well; (d) permitting performance of a second hydraulic fracturing operation on the second well, which second hydraulic fracturing operation includes pumping fluid into the second well via the second valve; and (e) during pumping of the fluid into the second well via the second valve, closing the first valve associated with the first well; wherein, during each of steps (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e), fluid is continuously pumped to the first valve, the second valve, or both the first valve and the second valve. In one or more embodiments, each of the first and second valves is in fluid communication with a hydraulic manifold from which fluid is pumped to the first valve and/or the second valve; and, during each of steps (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e), fluid is continuously pumped from the hydraulic manifold to the first valve, the second valve, or both the first valve and the second valve. In one or more embodiments, the second valve is opened after step (b). In one or more embodiments, the first valve includes a grease port; and the method further includes withholding grease from the grease port after step (e). In one or more embodiments, the second valve includes a grease port; and the method further includes: during and/or after opening the second valve, communicating grease to the grease port of the second valve. In one or more embodiments, each of the first and second valves is a zipper valve. In one or more embodiments, step (d): further includes measuring a flow rate of the fluid being pumped into the second well; and is, or is part of, a hydraulic fracturing stage of the second well; and the method further includes: determining that the hydraulic fracturing stage of the second well has ended; determining that the flow rate of the fluid being pumped into the second well is above the flow rate threshold; closing the second valve associated with the second well; withholding grease from a grease port of the second valve; receiving a signal to advance; opening a third valve associated with a third well; and during and/or after opening the third valve, communicating grease to a grease port of the third valve.

A first apparatus has also been disclosed. The first apparatus generally includes: a non-transitory computer readable medium; and a plurality of instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and executable by one or more processors, wherein, when the instructions are executed by the one or more processors, the following steps are executed: (a) permitting performance of a first hydraulic fracturing operation on a first well, which first hydraulic fracturing operation includes pumping fluid into the first well via a first valve associated with the first well, and measuring a flow rate of the fluid being pumped into the first well; (b) determining that the flow rate of the fluid being pumped into the first well is below a flow rate threshold and has been below the flow rate threshold for a threshold amount of time; (c) during pumping of the fluid into the first well via the first valve, opening a second valve associated with a second well; (d) permitting performance of a second hydraulic fracturing operation on the second well, which second hydraulic fracturing operation includes pumping fluid into the second well via the second valve; and (e) during pumping of the fluid into the second well via the second valve, closing the first valve associated with the first well; wherein, during each of steps (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e), fluid is continuously pumped to the first valve, the second valve, or both the first valve and the second valve. In one or more embodiments, each of the first and second valves is in fluid communication with a hydraulic manifold from which fluid is pumped to the first valve and/or the second valve; wherein, during each of steps (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e), fluid is continuously pumped from the hydraulic manifold to the first valve, the second valve, or both the first valve and the second valve. In one or more embodiments, the second valve is opened after step (b). In one or more embodiments, the first valve includes a grease port; and, when the instructions are executed by the one or more processors, the following step is also executed: withholding grease from the grease port after step (e). In one or more embodiments, the second valve includes a grease port; and, when the instructions are executed by the one or more processors, the following step is also executed: during and/or after opening the second valve, communicating grease to the grease port of the second valve. In one or more embodiments, each of the first and second valves is a zipper valve. In one or more embodiments, step (d): further includes measuring a flow rate of the fluid being pumped into the second well; and is, or is part of, a hydraulic fracturing stage of the second well; and, when the instructions are executed by the one or more processors, the following steps are also executed: determining that the hydraulic fracturing stage of the second well has ended; determining that the flow rate of the fluid being pumped into the second well is above the flow rate threshold; closing the second valve associated with the second well; withholding grease from a grease port of the second valve; receiving a signal to advance; opening a third valve associated with a third well; and during and/or after opening the third valve, communicating grease to a grease port of the third valve.

A second method has also been disclosed. The second method generally includes: (a) queuing, using a controller, a first well in a first hydraulic fracturing queue, which first hydraulic fracturing queue is associated with a first plurality of wells standing by for hydraulic fracturing, including at least the first well and a second well; (b) dequeuing, using the controller, the second well from the first hydraulic fracturing queue; (c) permitting hydraulic fracturing of the second well; (d) dequeuing, using the controller, the first well from the first hydraulic fracturing queue; and (e) swapping from permitting hydraulic fracturing of the second well to permitting hydraulic fracturing of the first well. In one or more embodiments, step (c) includes opening a second valve associated with the second well to permit pumping of fluid into the second well via the second valve; and step (e) includes: opening a first valve associated with the first well to permit pumping of fluid into the first well via the first valve; and closing the second valve associated with the second well. In one or more embodiments, step (c) further includes measuring a flow rate of the fluid being pumped into the second well. In one or more embodiments, step (e) further includes, in response to determining that the flow rate of the fluid being pumped into the second well is below a flow rate threshold and has been below the flow rate threshold for a threshold amount of time, the first valve associated with the first well is opened at step (e) before the second valve associated with the second well is closed at step (e). In one or more embodiments, the step (e) further includes, in response to determining that the flow rate of the fluid being pumped into the second well is above a flow rate threshold, the first valve associated with the first well is opened at step (e) after the second valve associated with the second well is closed at step (e). In one or more embodiments, the method further includes: (f) queuing, using the controller, a third well in a second hydraulic fracturing queue, which second hydraulic fracturing queue is associated with a second plurality of wells standing by for hydraulic fracturing, including at least the third well and a fourth well; (g) dequeuing, using the controller, the fourth well from the second hydraulic fracturing queue; (h) permitting hydraulic fracturing of the fourth well; (i) dequeuing, using the controller, the third well from the second hydraulic fracturing queue; and (j) swapping from permitting hydraulic fracturing of the fourth well to permitting hydraulic fracturing of the third well. In one or more embodiments, steps (c) and (h) are executed simultaneously using hydraulic fracturing fluid from a hydraulic manifold; and steps (e) and (j) are executed simultaneously using hydraulic fracturing fluid from the hydraulic manifold. In one or more embodiments, step (c) includes opening a second valve associated with the second well to permit pumping of fluid into the second well via the second valve; step (e) includes: opening a first valve associated with the first well to permit pumping of fluid into the first well via the first valve; and closing the second valve associated with the second well; step (h) includes opening a fourth valve associated with the fourth well to permit pumping of fluid into the fourth well via the fourth valve; and step (j) includes: opening a third valve associated with the third well to permit pumping of fluid into the third well via the third valve; and closing the fourth valve associated with the fourth well.

A second apparatus has also been disclosed. The second apparatus generally includes: a non-transitory computer readable medium; and a plurality of instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and executable by one or more processors, wherein, when the instructions are executed by the one or more processors, the following steps are executed: (a) queuing a first well in a first hydraulic fracturing queue, which first hydraulic fracturing queue includes a first plurality of wells standing by for hydraulic fracturing, including at least the first well and a second well; (b) dequeuing the second well from the first hydraulic fracturing queue; (c) permitting hydraulic fracturing of the second well; (d) dequeuing the first well from the first hydraulic fracturing queue; and (e) swapping from permitting hydraulic fracturing of the second well to permitting hydraulic fracturing of the first well. In one or more embodiments, step (c) includes opening a second valve associated with the second well to permit pumping of fluid into the second well via the second valve; and step (e) includes: opening a first valve associated with the first well to permit pumping of fluid into the first well via the first valve; and closing the second valve associated with the second well. In one or more embodiments, step (c) further includes measuring a flow rate of the fluid being pumped into the second well. In one or more embodiments, in response to determining that the flow rate of the fluid being pumped into the second well is below a flow rate threshold and has been below the flow rate threshold for a threshold amount of time, the first valve associated with the first well is opened at step (e) before the second valve associated with the second well is closed at step (e). In one or more embodiments, in response to determining that the flow rate of the fluid being pumped into the second well is above a flow rate threshold, the first valve associated with the first well is opened at step (e) after the second valve associated with the second well is closed at step (e). In one or more embodiments, when the instructions are executed by the one or more processors, the following steps are also executed: (f) queuing a third well in a second hydraulic fracturing queue, which second hydraulic fracturing queue includes a second plurality of wells standing by for hydraulic fracturing, including at least the third well and a fourth well; (g) dequeuing the fourth well from the second hydraulic fracturing queue; (h) permitting hydraulic fracturing of the fourth well; (i) dequeuing the third well from the second hydraulic fracturing queue; and (j) swapping from permitting hydraulic fracturing of the fourth well to permitting hydraulic fracturing of the third well. In one or more embodiments, steps (c) and (h) are executed simultaneously using hydraulic fracturing fluid from a hydraulic manifold; and steps (e) and (j) are executed simultaneously using hydraulic fracturing fluid from the hydraulic manifold. In one or more embodiments, step (c) includes opening a second valve associated with the second well to permit pumping of fluid into the second well via the second valve; step (e) includes: opening a first valve associated with the first well to permit pumping of fluid into the first well via the first valve; and closing the second valve associated with the second well; step (h) includes opening a fourth valve associated with the fourth well to permit pumping of fluid into the fourth well via the fourth valve; and step (j) includes: opening a third valve associated with the third well to permit pumping of fluid into the third well via the third valve; and closing the fourth valve associated with the fourth well.

It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In several embodiments, the elements and teachings of the various embodiments may be combined in whole or in part in some (or all) of the embodiments. In addition, one or more of the elements and teachings of the various embodiments may be omitted, at least in part, and/or combined, at least in part, with one or more of the other elements and teachings of the various embodiments.

Any spatial references, such as, for example, “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” “between,” “bottom,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “angular,” “upwards,” “downwards,” “side-to-side,” “left-to-right,” “right-to-left,” “top-to-bottom,” “bottom-to-top,” “top,” “bottom,” “bottom-up,” “top-down,” etc., are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the specific orientation or location of the structure described above.

In several embodiments, while different steps, processes, and procedures are described as appearing as distinct acts, one or more of the steps, one or more of the processes, and/or one or more of the procedures may also be performed in different orders, simultaneously and/or sequentially. In several embodiments, the steps, processes, and/or procedures may be merged into one or more steps, processes and/or procedures.

In several embodiments, one or more of the operational steps in each embodiment may be omitted. Moreover, in some instances, some features of the present disclosure may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Moreover, one or more of the above-described embodiments and/or variations may be combined in whole or in part with any one or more of the other above-described embodiments and/or variations.

Although several embodiments have been described in detail above, the embodiments described are illustrative only and are not limiting, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other modifications, changes and/or substitutions are possible in the embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications, changes, and/or substitutions are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Moreover, it is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the word “means” together with an associated function. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of hydraulically fracturing a plurality of wells, the plurality of wells comprising first and second wells, the method comprising: opening a first valve while hydraulic fracturing fluid is communicated to the second well via a second valve and a manifold, wherein the first valve is associated with both the first well and the manifold, and wherein the second valve is associated with both the second well and the manifold; and closing the second valve, wherein the second valve is closed: after opening the first valve, and while hydraulic fracturing fluid is communicated to the first well via the first valve and the manifold.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first valve is a first zipper valve; and/or the second valve is a second zipper valve.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wells further comprises third and fourth wells, and the method further comprises: opening a third valve while hydraulic fracturing fluid is communicated to the fourth well via a fourth valve and the manifold, wherein the third valve is associated with both the third well and the manifold, and wherein the fourth valve is associated with both the fourth well and the manifold; and closing the fourth valve, wherein the fourth valve is closed: after opening the third valve, and while hydraulic fracturing fluid is communicated to the third well via the third valve and the manifold.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first valve is opened in response to a determination that the communication of hydraulic fracturing fluid via the manifold has satisfied one or more conditions.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: determining that the communication of hydraulic fracturing fluid via the manifold has satisfied the one or more conditions.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more conditions include one or more flow rate conditions.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the fluid communicated via the manifold has satisfied the one or more flow rate conditions when a flow rate of the fluid is below an upper threshold, above a lower threshold, or both.
 8. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer-readable instructions executable by one or more processors to perform operations for hydraulically fracturing a plurality of wells, the plurality of wells comprising first and second wells, the operations comprising: opening a first valve while hydraulic fracturing fluid is communicated to the second well via a second valve and a manifold, wherein the first valve is associated with both the first well and the manifold, and wherein the second valve is associated with both the second well and the manifold; and closing the second valve, wherein the second valve is closed: after opening the first valve, and while hydraulic fracturing fluid is communicated to the first well via the first valve and the manifold.
 9. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein: the first valve is a first zipper valve; and/or the second valve is a second zipper valve.
 10. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the plurality of wells further comprises third and fourth wells, and the operations further comprise: opening a third valve while hydraulic fracturing fluid is communicated to the fourth well via a fourth valve and the manifold, wherein the third valve is associated with both the third well and the manifold, and wherein the fourth valve is associated with both the fourth well and the manifold; and closing the fourth valve, wherein the fourth valve is closed: after opening the third valve, and while hydraulic fracturing fluid is communicated to the third well via the third valve and the manifold.
 11. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the first valve is opened in response to a determination that the communication of hydraulic fracturing fluid via the manifold has satisfied one or more conditions.
 12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise: determining that the communication of hydraulic fracturing fluid via the manifold has satisfied the one or more conditions.
 13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the one or more conditions include one or more flow rate conditions.
 14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein the fluid communicated via the manifold has satisfied the one or more flow rate conditions when a flow rate of the fluid is below an upper threshold, above a lower threshold, or both.
 15. A system for hydraulically fracturing a plurality of wells, the plurality of wells comprising first and second wells, the system comprising: a manifold; a first valve via which hydraulic fracturing fluid is adapted to be communicated to the first well, the first valve being associated with both the first well and the manifold; a second valve via which hydraulic fracturing fluid is adapted to be communicated to the second well, the second valve being associated with both the second well and the manifold; and one or more controllers configured to: open the first valve while hydraulic fracturing fluid is communicated to the second well via the second valve and the manifold; and close the second valve after opening the first valve, and while hydraulic fracturing fluid is communicated to the first well via the first valve and the manifold.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein: the first valve is a first zipper valve; and/or the second valve is a second zipper valve.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein: the plurality of wells further comprises third and fourth wells; the system further comprises: a third valve via which hydraulic fracturing fluid is adapted to be communicated to the third well, the third valve being associated with both the third well and the manifold; and a fourth valve via which hydraulic fracturing fluid is adapted to be communicated to the fourth well, the fourth valve being associated with both the fourth well and the manifold; and the one or more controllers are further configured to: open the third valve while hydraulic fracturing fluid is communicated to the fourth well via the fourth valve and the manifold; and close the fourth valve after opening the third valve, and while hydraulic fracturing fluid is communicated to the third well via the third valve and the manifold.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more controllers are configured to open the first valve in response to a determination that the communication of hydraulic fracturing fluid via the manifold has satisfied one or more conditions.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the one or more controllers are further configured to: determine that the communication of hydraulic fracturing fluid via the manifold has satisfied the one or more conditions.
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the one or more conditions include one or more flow rate conditions.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the fluid communicated via the manifold has satisfied the one or more flow rate conditions when a flow rate of the fluid is below an upper threshold, above a lower threshold, or both. 